Beware of lending scams after storm, business-development group warns

Saturday

Nov 10, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Jessica DiNapoli

KINGSTON - The Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center is warning business owners and individuals about post-Hurricane Sandy lending scams.A sure sign of a scam is an upfront fee, which reputable institutions like banks and government-backed lending programs generally do not require, said Arnaldo Sehwerert, the regional director of the SBDC.Sehwerert has seen scams like this pop up following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the floods of 2008 and Hurricane Irene.Sehwerert recommends businesses call their local SBDC office, visit nyssbdc.org or go the U.S. Small Business Administration’s site at sba.gov.